"There 's got to be more to life than fighting for fishheads." Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Monday, June 3, 2013

Who is the next leader competent to replace you ?

Leadership is EXTREMELY important. World is facing huge leadership crisis at all level. Corrupt leader is one problem but incompetent leadership is what I am discussing today.

There are discussions all around about difference between leaders and managers. That difference is startling and critical when managers are given leadership role.

Managers are Cook and leaders are Chef.

Leaders don't require instructions while managers do. Leaders don't need map to follow but they create their own road map, while managers cant do anything without map. Leadership is scarce and very precious as leaders defines & execute the destiny of the organisation or country they leads.

There may be 5 to 7 founders of Infosys but among them who can lead? Hardly one or two. Being a part of the team if very different than being a leader of the team. It requires vision, fairness, anticipation, inspiring goal setting , executing , reasonableness , patience , firmness , perseverance , fearlessness & pressure handling capability and many such qualities.

Look at leaders around you and find out what he or she inspires ? If the reply is NOTHING then these are leaders occupying leadership role without being competent for the role.

To share my experience I suggest all leaders wherever they are leading to just find their replacement from the people they are leading. I am sure you will not find many faces who can aptly replaces you considering the role you are playing as a leader. Its a rare commodity & therefore valuable like brands.

For top leaders of every organisation and institution , one of the very critical roles is to identify , train and make next generation of leaders ready to take charge. Howsoever robust the organisation is today with its brands , technology and customer loyalty , incompetent leader can spoil the game and every sustainable competitive advantages an organisation enjoys.

Who is the next leader competent to replace you ? If you don't have the answer or clue - leave everything else and find the answer.